I’m a Greece guidebook writer – these are my favourite secret beaches
Greece continues to smash tourism records, attracting more than 40 million visitors in 2025 (there were around half as many around the time of the country’s economic crisis in 2009), including almost five million Britons. Travel agent consortium Advantage Travel Partnership reports that Greece’s share of bookings rose from 7.7 per cent in mid-April to 9.8 per cent by month’s end.
While some stretches of the coastline have felt the strain of overtourism, new limits on parasols and sunbeds (widely dubbed a “sunbed ban”) are restoring space to more than 250 beaches.
Having spent years exploring the Greek mainland and islands as a guidebook writer, I can confirm quieter beaches do exist – often with tavernas, walking trails and historic sites within easy reach. Here are 21 of the best.
Lageri Naoussa, Paros
On Paros’s north coast, just beyond Naoussa village, sandy Lageri is backed by dunes and cedar trees. With no organised loungers, it remains notably quieter than nearby beaches, though it is popular with naturists, and still close to harbourside tavernas and bars.
Cycladic Charm boutique hotel in Naoussa has doubles from €88 (£76).
Kolymbithres, Paros
Famous for its sculpted granite rocks, Kolymbithres is divided into small sandy coves with shallow water, popular for swimming and snorkelling. Getting there early helps avoid the crowds that arrive from nearby Naoussa later in the day.
Mr and Mrs White Paros in Naoussa offers doubles from €116 (£100).
Apella Kyra Panagia, Karpathos
A winding road through pine forest brings you to Apella, one of Greece’s most photographed beaches, with white pebbles and deep blue water framed by mountains. Despite its picture-perfect looks, its remote setting helps keep crowds away. Nearby Kyra Panagia village has tavernas and a distinctive, red-domed church overlooking the bay.
Kyra Panagia Hotel, a five-minute downhill walk from the beach, offers sea-view doubles from €105 (£91).
Kedrodasos Chania, Crete
West of popular Elafonisi, Kedrodasos is a protected beach scattered with juniper trees and backed by low sand dunes. With no facilities, it attracts walkers, campers and snorkellers looking for a quieter coastline. Colourful fish can be spotted just off the shore.
Lafo Rooms, about a mile from Kedrasos beach, has doubles from €71 (£61).
Fokos, Mykonos
On Mykonos’s north-eastern coast, this wind-brushed pebbly bay has no beach clubs and far fewer visitors than the south of the island. A taverna serves grilled seafood and slow-cooked dishes above the sand, making it easy to spend an unrushed day here.
A Hotel Mykonos, in Mykonos Town, has doubles from €94 (£81).
Agios Dimitrios, Alonissos
On Alonissos’s east coast, Agios Dimitrios is long and pebbly, backed by pine-covered hills and calm water. Part of a protected marine park, the area is best known for seals and coastal walking routes connecting the smaller coves nearby.
Olympic Holidays offers seven nights at Paradise Hotel in Patitiri, the island’s main port, from £799pp including flights and ferry transfers.
Potami, Samos
A backdrop of dense greenery and freshwater springs gives Potami a cool feel. A short inland walk leads to waterfalls and shaded pools, while nearby Karlovasi is known for its neoclassical buildings and old leather tanning warehouses.
Samos Studios just outside Potami has doubles from €67 (£58).
Mikro Seitani, Samos
A 45-minute coastal hike from Potami, Mikro Seitani is a wide pebble beach backed by forest. Part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, it remains undeveloped and notably quiet, even during the summer.
Anthemis Hotel Apartments, just outside Samos Town, has studio apartments with sea view from €89.50 (£67), sleeping two
Livadaki, Samos
Livadaki is a shallow bay with calm water, sand and small pebbles sheltered by pine-covered hills on the north-east coast of Samos. In inland villages such as Vourliotes you’ll find wineries and traditional tavernas.
Arion Hotel in Kokkari, on Samos’s north coast, has sea-view doubles from €90 (£77).
Ai Helis, Kefalonia
Near Svoronata on Kefalonia’s south coast, this sandy bay is backed by clay cliffs and pine trees, and with shallow water, it’s popular with local families. The steep steps leading down to the beach keep visitor numbers lower than nearby resorts, while sunset views across the Ionian are spectacular.
Tui offers seven nights at Bessie’s Village, a five-minute drive from Ai Helis, from £389pp including flights.
Kalamitsi, Lefkada
On Lefkada’s west coast, reached by winding mountain roads, Kalamitsi is a series of coves where deeper water and stronger surf create a more dramatic feel than the island’s calmer east coast beaches. Tavernas in the hillside village overlook the Ionian while nearby footpaths connect smaller coves.
Vintage Travel offers a week’s stay at Villa Mare in Kalamitsi from £998, sleeping two
Agios Prokopios, Naxos
Beyond the organised sections of sunbeds, beach bars and water sports rentals, the southern end of Agios Prokopios beach opens into quieter stretches of pale sand and dunes. Calm water attracts swimmers while inland trails and the Temple of Demeter add archaeological interest.
Hotel Grotta in Naxos Town offers doubles from €125 (£108).
Plaka, Naxos
South of Agia Anna on Naxos’s west coast, Plaka is a long sandy beach with quieter stretches at its southern end, beyond the main clusters of sunbeds and tavernas by the road. Calm, shallow water is ideal for swimming, while stronger Meltemi winds attract windsurfers in midsummer.
Plaka Hotel I, right on the beach, has doubles from €73 (£63).
Voutoumi, Antipaxos
On tiny Antipaxos, Voutoumi is a crescent-shaped bay backed by olive groves and low hills. Day boats arrive by midday, but mornings and evenings remain quieter. Bella Vista taverna serves classic Greek cuisine with views over the bay and nearby sea caves.
Accommodation is limited on Antipaxos, but Sunvil offers cottages at Loggos Mill on Paxos (a 10-minute boat ride away) from £849pp including flights to Corfu and a boat transfer to Paxos.
Agios Stefanos, Kos
On Kos’s south-west coast, Agios Stefanos faces Kastri islet, reachable by swimming in calm conditions. The submerged ruins of a fifth-century basilica make it popular with snorkellers, while nearby Kefalos has tavernas overlooking the bay.
Jet2holidays offers seven nights at Artemis and Katherina Apartments in Kefalos from £311pp including flights.
Platia Gialos, Sifnos
On Sifnos’s southern coast, Platia Gialos is a long sandy beach with calm, shallow water. Tavernas line the shore, serving seafood and traditional chickpea dishes, while nearby walking trails lead towards Chrysopigi monastery and old ceramic workshops, reflecting the island’s pottery heritage. Summer Meltemi winds occasionally attract windsurfers and paddleboarders towards its southern end.
Giannakas Studios, a few minutes’ walk from the beach, has double studios from
€95 (£82).
Island coves, Fourni
Between Samos and Ikaria, the island of Fourni is known for its scattered coves, clear water and fishing culture. Beaches such as Psili Ammos and Petrokopio can be reached via footpaths or boat rides from the harbour and are surrounded by cliffs. There are no organised sunbeds, giving them a more natural feel.
Archipelagos Hotel in Fourni Town has doubles from €92 (£80).
Agia Anna, Evia
On the island of Evia’s north-east coast, Agia Anna is a long beach of coarse sand and pebbles backed by pine forest and cliffs. Strong Meltemi winds attract surfers during the summer, while nearby fishing villages serve seafood overlooking the sea.
Thalatta Seaside Hotel, right by Agia Anna beach, has doubles from €226 (£193) for three nights (minimum stay).
Voidokilia, Peloponnese
Close to the town of Pylos, Voidokilia is a near-perfect horseshoe of sand with shallow water and dunes, protected as part of the Gialova lagoon ecosystem. Nearby Nestor’s Palace and the cave linked to Hermes mythology add interest.
Karalis Beach Hotel, on Pylos harbour, has rooms from €132 (£114).
Manganari, Ios
On Ios’s quieter south coast, Manganari is a series of sheltered sandy coves with calm water far removed from the island’s nightlife scene. Tavernas along the shore serve seafood and local cheeses, while the surrounding hills remain largely undeveloped.
Olympic Holidays offers seven nights at Marcos Beach Hotel in Mylopotas from £956pp including flights and ferry transfers.
Tis Grias To Pidima, Andros
This beach – a steep walk from Ormos Korthiou village – takes its name from a legend about a woman who betrayed the inhabitants of nearby Faneromeni Castle before throwing herself into the sea, where there’s a notable rock stack.
Micra Anglia Hotel and Spa in Andros Town has doubles from €91 (£78).
